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28 DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE 13-26, 2020 Perspectives W e've just survived the only time in living memory without access to the Mass. The brutal Lent of 2020 extended even into Easter, as we watched the high holy days through a screen. Through this extreme spiritual hardship, we can discover the possibility of renewal through a deeper appreciation for Jesus' presence. Have we taken the Eucharist for granted? Has our reception of communion ever fell into routine? As in-person access to the Mass begins to increase, and as we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, we can express our gratitude for Jesus in the Eucharist through maintaining a deeper desire, preparation, and reverence. The Catholic radio host, Teresa Tomeo, just released a guide for nav- igating our current trials, Conquering Coronavirus: How Faith Can Put Your Fears to Rest (Sophia, 2020). She relates the trial of experiencing of her mother's death in the midst of the pandemic, yet still offers encour- agement to find opportunities to live the faith and support others. In fact, Tomeo thinks the crisis may have created an opening for faith: "We Christians have an eternal task before us right now. We're called to respond to the spiritual needs we see in our community . . . If you're not quite convinced of the world's current hunger for God, here are a few other reports to ponder. A survey of nearly twelve thousand adults by the Pew Research Center from the end of March 2020 states that a majority of Americans are praying for an end to the pandemic, and that includes some who admit they rarely pray" (77). During times of need, Christians can witness to the power of faith by supporting others with charity. In addition to helping our neighbors, she also speaks of the possibility of Eucharist renewal, increasing our love for Christ: "It has occurred to me that perhaps God is allowing this to happen so we can deepen our appreciation for Him in the Eucharist. . . . The 2019 [Pew] report What Americans Know about Religion showed that only one-third of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus ... Part of my A deeper desire for the Eucharist DR. R. JARED STAUDT The Catholic Reader R. Jared Staudt, PhD, is a husband and father of six, the director of formation for the Archdiocese of Denver, a Benedictine oblate, prolific writer, and insatiable reader.